There are some notable changes in the October edition of the FIFA world rankings.

Joachim Loew... Germany coach.

At the top, Germany (2nd, up 1) have reclaimed second spot and trail leaders Argentina (1st, unchanged) by just 18 points. Belgium (3rd, down 1) complete the top three.

Other climbers in the top 10 include Portugal (4th, up 2) and Spain (6th, up 5), while Colombia (5th, down 1) and Brazil (7th, down 2) have lost ground.

Spain’s re-entry after three months is down to two wins in qualifiers for Euro 2016, while Wales (8th, up 1) and Austria (11th, up 2) have achieved their highest-ever rankings, with the latter having already qualified for next year’s tournament.

Wales’ impressive run to the brink of qualification for Euro 2016 has inspired their climb to eighth in the latest rankings, just one place behind Brazil.

Their last appearance at a major tournament came 57 years ago at the 1958 World Cup but Chris Coleman’s team remain undefeated and top of qualification Group B. They are expected to secure their place in the next fortnight during fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Andorra.

England, who became the first nation to qualify for next summer’s tournament in France and are also undefeated in Group E, remain 10th.

Scotland have fallen nine places to 40th, following consecutive defeats by Georgia and Germany that look to have ended their own ambition of reaching Euro 2016.

The Republic of Ireland fell three places to 54th despite victories over Gibraltar and Georgia.

The biggest movers in the top 50 are Norway (34th, up 35) and Cape Verde Islands (41st, up 15).

Malta gained three places, up to 154th, in the latest list on the back of the 2-2 home draw against Azerbaijan in last month’s Euro 2016 qualifier.

Pietro Ghedin’s team are away to Norway tomorrow week before wrapping up their qualifying campaign with a home match against Croatia on October 13.

Top 10

1. Argentina 1,419; 2. Germany 1,401; 3. Belgium 1,387; 4. Portugal 1,235; 5. Colombia 1,228; 6. Spain 1,223; 7. Brazil 1,204; 8. Wales 1,195; 9. Chile 1,177; 10. England 1,161.